Denver Legal Blog

Racketeering: A serious offense that requires a defense

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm on Wednesday, September 5, 2018.

Racketeering, or when organized groups run illegal businesses, is a problem throughout the United States. These businesses, known as rackets, are essentially an organized crime ring. Public and private institutions are harmed by the rackets, because the rackets tend to embezzle funds through legitimate organizations.

This is such a serious offense that the federal and state governments have specific laws to prosecute those who participate in racketeering. If you're accused, it's vital that you take steps to protect yourself right away. It's possible to face false accusations, but don't take it for granted that you'll walk away without penalties even if you are innocent. Knowledge about the laws can help you be better prepared for what could happen next.

Understanding a defect versus an error in construction

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Civil Litigation on Wednesday, August 8, 2018.

Before you seek out a lawsuit for construction defects, it's a good idea to look into whether the defect was naturally occurring or if it's a result of mistakes made by your construction team. Construction defects are a common cause of disputes and lawsuits, and this comes down to the fact that definitions vary between states.

Typically, it's understood that defects are defects in the design, workmanship or materials used in a project that then results in the failure of part or all of that structure or project.

What is the police use of force spectrum?

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, July 11, 2018.

Police officers in Colorado must be careful not to exert too much force on someone while they're enforcing the law. They must evaluate the situation and the threat presented by the individual they're dealing with, and then use an appropriate amount of force -- if any force at all. This force can be evaluated via the "police use of force spectrum."

Police officers don't always follow the rules when it comes to the level of force they should exert. When this over-exertion results in serious injuries, the injured person may have a viable claim to pursue personal injury damages in court. During the litigation of such cases the "police use of force spectrum" could become an important benchmark for judging how appropriately the police performed given the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Legal marijuana in Colorado created new opportunities for fraud

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Monday, July 9, 2018.

Anytime there is money for someone to make, there is potential for abuse, theft and fraud. When Colorado became the first state in the country to legalize marijuana for adult recreational use, most people felt excited.

After all, this change in law would reduce crime across the state by eliminating most petty marijuana dealers and creating a regulated market. This would divert money away from actual cartels and empower people in Colorado to become marijuana entrepreneurs. In practice, legalized marijuana has had quite a few benefits for the state.

Are 'divorce parties' healthy?

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Family Law on Tuesday, June 12, 2018.

You've might have heard them mentioned by friends. You may have even been to one -- a "divorce party." Whether these parties are appropriate doesn't seem to be deterring newly single spouses and their friends from throwing or attending them.

Nevertheless, you might have some concerns, not the least of which might be whether there should be celebrations to mark the end of marriages.

Yes, marijuana use can still lead to a DUI

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, May 11, 2018.

Even though recreational marijuana is legal in Colorado, it is still recognized as a drug that could lead to impairment. As a result, it's possible to end up facing a DUI charge for using marijuana and getting behind the wheel of your vehicle, even though you may have legally used the drug.

In a case like yours, think of marijuana much like alcohol. You're able to use it, but if you have too much, then your ability to drive could be impacted. To prevent you or others from using drugs and then driving, the law has to restrict your right to drive while impaired.

Examples of recent white collar crime cases: Part 1

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Wednesday, April 18, 2018.

"White collar" crimes are nonviolent crimes carried out by people in professional positions of trust. In other words, white collar crimes don't involve directly stealing something, holding someone up at gunpoint or attacking another individual. Instead, they involve some kind of subterfuge, deception or conspiracy carried out by one or more people who stand to gain financially.

Most white collar crimes remain in the background and we never hear about the crimes or the people accused of committing them. However, some white collar crimes are so notorious that they make the news. Below is one of the biggest white collar crimes to recently be featured in the papers.

Examples of recent white collar crime cases: Part 2

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Tuesday, April 10, 2018.

Consumers tend to trust large corporations to follow the law and be honest in their business dealings. Perhaps this is because consumers know that if a corporation is dishonest, it will face stiff legal consequences.

However, the threat of legal consequences is not always enough to keep a big company from stepping out of line. Take the recent case involving Volkswagen, for example. The carmaker was accused of lying about its new "clean diesel engine" technology. As it turns out, the diesel engine was not so clean or environmentally-friendly after all.

3 reasons to choose an attorney familiar with going to trial

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Monday, March 12, 2018.

When people think about divorces, most don't think they'll end up at a trial. For the most part, it's possible to avoid going to trial if both parties agree to their settlement arrangements and child custody issues. However, in contentious divorces, it's less likely that a couple can come to a fair agreement. In that case, both people will likely need to go to court for a divorce trial.

The only time people usually end up in court is if they can't agree. When that happens, you need an attorney who is familiar with the trial process for divorces. He or she will need to file a motion to seek assistance from a judge. A court hearing is then scheduled and the judge listens to each side's arguments.

Criminal charges for growing marijuana in Denver still happen

On behalf of The Geigle Law Firm posted in Criminal Defense on Friday, February 9, 2018.

Since Colorado became the first state to legalize adult retail marijuana sales and recreational marijuana use, many other states have followed suit. Many people, both visitors and residents alike, may fall victim to incorrect assumptions about state and municipal marijuana laws. This is especially true when it comes to growing marijuana.

Under the new laws allowing for adult use, Colorado residents over the age of 21 can grow marijuana for personal use in their own homes. However, there are limits in place, both at the state and city level, that can result in criminal charges. Take the time to familiarize yourself with the laws to avoid a serious criminal charge.